United States: Hollywood actor Tom Cruise is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original Top Gun film, marking four decades since the release of the 1986 aviation blockbuster that became a defining role in his career.
On May 13, Cruise posted a message on Instagram expressing excitement over the milestone, writing that he was “excited to celebrate 40 years of Top Gun” and highlighting the return of both Top Gun films to cinemas. He added that it was “so much fun to see these two films back on the big screen.”
To mark the anniversary, both Top Gun (1986) and Top Gun: Maverick (2022) have been re-released in theatres for a limited one-week run, allowing audiences to revisit the franchise on the big screen.
Cruise also confirmed that a third Top Gun film is currently in development, with him set to reprise his role as U.S. Navy aviator LT Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
The original Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott and written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr., followed Maverick’s journey as a young naval pilot training at the elite Top Gun program. The film co-starred Val Kilmer as LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky and Kelly McGillis as Charlotte, a Top Gun instructor and Maverick’s romantic interest. The film became a major cultural success and is widely regarded as a cult classic, particularly noted for its Oscar-winning soundtrack.
More than three decades later, Cruise returned to the role in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, where Maverick trains a new generation of elite pilots. The cast included Miles Teller as Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s late friend Goose. The sequel became a global box office success and is reported to be the highest-grossing film of Cruise’s career.
The anniversary celebrations highlight the enduring popularity of the franchise, which continues to expand with the development of a third installment, further extending one of Hollywood’s most successful action film series.